Kit tribute to Chapecoense

AFC Wimbledon will be wearing its green third strip on Sunday as a tribute to members of the Brazilian side Associação Chapecoense de Futebol who recently lost their lives.

A number of fans had suggested that wearing the green kit in the FA Cup tie at Curzon Ashton would be a suitable way of remembering players and officials from Chapecoense, who were tragically killed in a plane crash in Columbia on Tuesday morning.

In line with regulations, the club had already submitted details of its intention to wear the yellow away strip, but after making a number of phone calls it was agreed by all parties that our players could wear green.

The board asked David Charles to clear it with the relevant authorities and they agreed we could change. As a result, the tribute can go ahead on Sunday.” Chief Executive Erik Samuelson said: “This is a good example of fans coming up with a good suggestion.

Associação Chapecoense de Futebol, who play in green, had been due to play in the final of the Copa Sudamericana against Columbian side Atletico Nacional on Wednesday night.

A period of three days of mourning was declared in Brazil and ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup tie there will be a minute’s silence to remember the victims.